1998 Toyota Hilux — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Toyota Hilux passed 70.4% of its 4,569 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.7 percentage points worse than pick-up trucks of a similar age, which fail at 27.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.5% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, rear fog lamp and service brake performance — prescribed areas alone was recorded 366 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.9% versus 22.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 845 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 677 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.4% | 657 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 610 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 296 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.1% | 232 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 366 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 354 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 340 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 337 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 314 |
| 6 | Joints | 297 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.9% | 1,824 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.6% | 1,487 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.8% | 1,272 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.9% | 770 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 752 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 531 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 86 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 236 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 618 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,038 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,568 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,524 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 42 | 26.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,059 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 1,003 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 927 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 847 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 733 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Hilux
On a 1998 Hilux, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (14.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Toyota Hiluxs pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 4,569 1998 Toyota Hilux MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota Hilux?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 1998 Hilux get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.1% in the 30-60k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,569 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.